Chapter 24
CHAPTER TWENTY-FOUR
Dinner was an uneventful affair, but both Carter and John seemed more relaxed than Audrey had ever seen them.
They kept up a healthy stream of conversation, covering everything from TV shows to politics to sports.
Audrey found herself glancing between Carter and his father, realizing just how similar they were despite their insistence to the contrary.
When they were all finished, Audrey stood and began to gather dishes to take them into the kitchen. She was juggling hers one-handedly when both men waved her back into her seat.
“Sit down, sit down,” John blustered. “You’re a guest here. I’ll take care of it.”
“You’re a guest, too,” Carter pointed out as he stood.
“Yeah, but you cooked dinner,” John retorted cantankerously.
Audrey bit her tongue, bemused, and watched the two men face off—one was a younger version of the other, but his glare was no less powerful.
“I’ll just—” Audrey grabbed her plate, but both men turned to her in unison. “No!”
They turned back to each other, and the glare continued for another few seconds before Carter finally threw his hands in the air. “Fine. Have at it.”
John looked pleased to have won, and Audrey couldn’t help the tiny smile that curled the corners of her lips. Carter shot her a look across the table, and she rolled her lips together to contain the laugh welling up. It really was amazing how stubborn these two were.
When all the dishes had been collected, John retired to his room, and Carter stood, holding out a hand in Audrey's direction. “Come sit with me?”
She allowed him to help her up, then followed him into the living room, where he sank down into his recliner. Audrey started to move past toward the couch, but he caught her around the waist and pulled her backward.
“Carter…” she warned.
Hands framing her hips, he smiled up at her. “You promised to sit with me.”
Audrey rolled her eyes. “That was before I knew what you intended.”
“Too bad,” he said as he pulled her down sideways across his lap. “No reneging on your promises.”
He flipped on the TV, then settled on some show about natural disasters and sat back to watch. After a few minutes, Audrey gradually began to relax and lay her head along his shoulder. She felt his lips brush a kiss over the top of her head, and she smiled at the sensation.
The show went to a commercial a couple of minutes later, and Carter hit the mute button. “How are you feeling?”
Audrey tipped her chin up to look at him. “Still a little sore, but it’s not terrible.”
He studied her. “Do you need your medicine?”
“No, I’m good,” she responded.
He cocked an eyebrow. “Is that Dr. Audrey refusing treatment, or is this real Audrey?”
Audrey rolled her eyes even as a smile curved her mouth. “I’m pretty sure you knew I was a terrible patient before you dragged me over here.”
“I do. That’s why I’m asking.”
She delivered a slap to his chest, and he laughed before his eyes turned serious. “I’m not just talking about your arm, you know. How are you really?”
Audrey fiddled with one of the buttons on his shirt. “I’m… okay.”
“Hopefully we’ll have an answer soon.” His breath stirred the hair next to her ear when he spoke. “The police will do whatever they can.”
All the thoughts over the past couple of weeks came spilling forth. “What if it wasn’t random?” she asked.
His expression darkened. “If by some chance someone actually meant to do you harm,” he replied, “I’m going to do everything in my power to put them behind bars for a long time.”
“Can I ask you something?”
“Anything.” His fingers trailed up and down her arm, sending ripples of pleasure through her body.
“You introduced me to a man the day I left your office. Who is he?”
“Edward?” he asked. She nodded. “He’s my boss, one of the partners. Why?”
Audrey lifted her shoulders in a shrug. “No reason. I just… He looked familiar.”
Carter took her chin between his thumb and forefinger and directed her gaze to his. “Did something happen? Did he say something to you?”
“No.” She shook her head, and his hand fell away, settling on her thigh. “Nothing like that. But I think I saw him at the VA one day.”
“Like, as a patient?” Carter’s brows drew together, and she shook her head.
“No, I… The day your dad was admitted to the hospital, I overheard Dr. Kellerman arguing with someone. I think it was him.”
“What were they arguing about?”
“I’m not entirely sure, but I think they were discussing a patient,” she admitted. “The guy—Edward—sounded like he was accusing Dr. Kellerman of not doing his job. Said Kellerman couldn’t just apologize and make it all go away.”
Carter’s expression turned pensive, and Audrey studied him. “Does that make any sense to you?”
“I don’t really know,” he responded slowly. “Maybe it was nothing—just a coincidence, or maybe it wasn’t even him.”
Audrey didn’t like the way it felt, but there was also no evidence of any wrongdoing.
Edward hadn’t said a single word to her, hadn’t even really acknowledged her beyond their introduction that day in Carter’s office.
Maybe she was overthinking things. Or maybe she really did have something to worry about.
Either way, it was worth looking into. Better safe than sorry.
She smiled at Carter. “I’m sure you’re right. Like you said—just a coincidence.”